Schools battling flu bug

Thursday

Jan 10, 2013 at 12:01 AM

The holidays are over, winter is in full gear, meaning the heart of flu season has arrived for area schools.

By MARK SPENCLEYmark@cheboygantribune.com

The holidays are over, winter is in full gear, meaning the heart of flu season has arrived for area schools.Winter flu outbreaks, one of which is currently gaining steam across the state, are an unfortunate reality of winter. Combine the tight quarters and commonly touched surfaces and schools become a hotbed for germ transmission. Though it’s an uphill battle, area school officials are ramping up sanitization measures in hopes of preventing a rash of illness.“We haven’t had any widespread absences,” said Michele Ackerman, Cheboygan Area High School principal. “We’ve had kids out sick, but nothing more than is normal during the winter.“Our custodians to a great job this time of year, keeping surfaces disinfected,” she added. “Door knobs, counter tops, phones, all of those surfaces hold germ and get touched hundreds of times per day.”Clean hands are a focal point for every district. From doorknobs to toilet handles, hands touch and distribute germs at a remarkable rate.“We’re really big on hand sanitizer and hand washing,” explained Rod Fullerton, Onaway Area Schools’ superintendent. “We have hand sanitizer in the classrooms and out in the lunch line. Those are two really simple ways to kill germs.”Antibacterial wipes also are kept throughout classrooms, allowing teachers to quickly wipe down desks and materials that several students will be touching and handling. “Wash your hands. Use hand sanitizer. Do everything possible to keep yourself for getting sick as well as those around you,” said Fred Osborn, Inland Lakes Schools’ superintendent. “Its really amazing what simply washing your hands can do.”Flu vaccines are another suggested option to stem the tide of spreading illness.“Every child and adult should receive the flu vaccine as soon as possible,” said Joshua Meyerson, medical director for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. “Those who are not vaccinated are risking their own health, and the health of their families. By carrying the illness, they pose a threat to others – especially young children and the elderly – who are at much higher risk for life-threatening complications arising from the illness.”Three young Michigan children have died from the flu already this year. According to the Health Department data, as of the end of December, statewide hospitalization rates and emergency room visits were reported to have increased significantly.Along with getting vaccinated and washing hands, keeping cell phones clean can go a long way toward keeping sickness in check.Though doorknobs and counter tops are veritable germ hotbeds, cell phones are far and away the most common surfaces students touch in a given day and they often slip through the cracks when it comes to sanitization.“We’ve really been telling our kids to wipe down their cell phones,” said Ackerman. “They pass them around and most of them are touch screen now. It takes one minute to grab and antibacterial wipe and wipe it down.”Studies have shown cellphones harbor several times more bacteria than the toilet handle in a men’s room. According to a study published in the Wall Street Journal, the average cell phone carries about 2,700 to 4,200 units of bacteria. For reference, drinking water is supposed to have less than one unit of bacteria per half-cup.Despite the best of efforts, sickness is a reality and some students and teachers will develop illness before the school year is out. “Its important for teachers and kids to stay home when they’re sick,” said Fullerton. “Take the time to get better before coming back.”Mike Grisdale, public information officer for McLaren Northern Michigan’s Cheboygan campus, gets bombarded with flu questions each year. His main suggestions: covered noses and mouths spread far fewer germs when sneezing and coughing; hand washing is essential; no touching eyes, nose or mouth.There are a few quick tips to indicate a case of the flu. Fever, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chill and fatigue are all common flu symptoms.As schools officials suggest, once those symptoms show up, wait it out before heading back out into the public.